SURPRISE, I’m back! After a month and a bit of a blogging hiatus due to mental and physical health issues, I’m returning to the land of ashlexyz. I’m ready and motivated to come back to the blogging world so it only seems right that my first post of 2017 is my resolutions, even if it is a little late! Every year since I can remember, my number one resolution has been to lose weight so this year I’m switching it up and adding in some challenges for me to tackle that will hopefully help me with my resolutions!
Before I start the resolutions, I’d just like to quickly thank everyone for their continued support on my blog during my hiatus – even without posting I’ve had quite a number of views and new followers which definitely motivated me. I especially want to thank everyone over on twitter for being so understanding and supportive – you’re all stars! Now then, enough of the babble and lets get on with the post!
RESOLUTIONS
Be happy with myself
My goal this year isn’t to lose weight, but it is to work on myself and become a happier, healthier and all round better version of myself. I want to be happy both mentally and physically, so I will be adapting my lifestyle to help me meet mental and physical goals.
Show my emotions more
I’ve always been pretty bad at showing my emotions which can get very frustrating for other people. I’ve been with my boyfriend for almost two years and I don’t know how he’s put up with my lack of affection and emotion, so this year I definitely want to start showing more appreciation for him especially.
Blog, blog, blog!
I want to carry on blogging and make it even bigger and better! I only started blogging in September – but I’ve already achieved so many of my blogging goals that I set out for a year of blogging! I’m going to carry on working on my blog, with my biggest goal being to work on my photography to improve my posts.
Read more books
There’s really nothing better than getting lost in a good book and over the last 3 years whilst I’ve been at uni I lost my passion for reading. Don’t get me wrong, I’ve not lost the passion for buying endless amounts of books – which means I’ve got a huge pile to get through, so 2017 is definitely the year!
CHALLENGES
Drink nothing but water for one month
It’s not that I’m bad at drinking water – I just never see the positive effects of it because my diet is so poor. For one whole month, I’m going to drink nothing but water and hope that linked with my healthier eating, I should see the positives and hopefully continue a healthy lifestyle after the months up. I’ll be cutting out tea, coffee, juice and fizzy drinks and literally consuming no other drink but water!
Unsubscribe from unwanted emails
I’m sure I’m not the only person that signs up to something for a one time only deal and the regrets it for the rest of my life when I get endless amounts of emails and spam from them. What do I do about it? Delete the email and carry on receiving them. Not this year! I will be actively unsubscribing from the unwanted emails to end the unnecessary amount of emails I receive daily.
Make breakfast a priority
For long enough I would wake up early for university or work and feel sick to my stomach so I wouldn’t eat breakfast. I stupidly blamed the early start for my constant sicky feeling but it turns out when I went to the doctors about my anxiety and got put on medication for it – the sickness disappeared. Now I’m in the routine of skipping breakfast which is a bad habit I want to break this year!
Hopefully I can stick to these resolutions and I can tackle the challenges like a boss. This post is going up 2 weeks into the new year and so far, I’m drinking more water, eating breakfast more often and stepping up my blogging game so we’re off to a good start!
Have you set yourself any resolutions or challenges? I’d love to know what they are!
XO,
Ashley
P.S, follow my twitter for an exciting giveaway coming soon!
I am absolutely in love with your resolutions! So many of them are so relateable for me! I deff want to hop on board with your goal to unsubscribe to unwanted emails! I hope you succeed in everything love xxx
http://www.ivefoundwaldo.com
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How annoying are those pesky emails?! I wish there was a refresh button that could restart my whole email list! Thank you so much x
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They are the worst! I actually got a new email recently so I didn’t have to worry about all of the spam!
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I hope you are feeling better. It’s good to have goals but remember you are human. Don’t beat yourself up if you get a little of track. Just keep trying. Good luck with your new year.
Be kind to yourself
Nancy xx
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Always a great thing to remember! I normally feel so defeated by the end of the year when I realise I didn’t achieve certain things – that’s why I wanted a new method this year! Thank you for your kind words x
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It’s alright I realised that when you have mental health problems it’s very easy to beat yourself up about things like this.
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I love your resolutions, I need to take note of some of these myself! X
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Thank you! Best of luck with anything you set yourself out for! x
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I think it’s great you have paired your goals with some challenges aswell! I’m forever forgetting to unsubscribe from unwanted email. Making breakfast a priority is definetly a good idea!
Jordanne || Thelifeofaglasgowgirl.co.uk
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I love a good challenge so hopefully they will motivate me to achieve my resolutions! Unwanted emails are the ultimate annoyance. I created an entirely new email just so I didn’t have to open my old email to face the millions of spam emails! x
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I love these resolutions!! The book buying I can totally relate you… I’ve got my own pile building up that I haven’t even tried to read, oops! Working on my own happiness and mental health is a big one for me this year to ensure no one else can make me feel inferior
Zehra xx
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Buying books is just so satisfying. I love bookstores as well, they make me feel so comfortable! I think that should be a goal for everyone, all the time. Not enough people take care of their mental health so hopefully this will be the year for that! x
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Love how you have a combination of goals and challenges, I’ve never thought of that!
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I’m really hoping it helps me achieve some new goals! x
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You’ve set yourself some great resolutions and challenges. I hope you get to achieve them this year!
I’m happy to see you back blogging again too girl!!
https://rachelwilliams94.wordpress.com/
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Best of luck to me, especially in my water challenge! My life without a Dr Pepper or Coke is not a thing! Thank you, it’s sooo good to be back! x
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Lovely post! Loved reading about your resolutions. Hope you’ll achieve all of them and more. xo
Antonia Sweet Passions
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Thank you! xo
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Love this post hun especially about being happy with yooursef x
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That’s absolutely one of my biggest goals for this year, fingers crossed! xo
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I’ve cut out Diet Coke – I’m a nightmare for it- and I’ve already noticed I’m feeling different! Good luck with your resolutions:)
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That definitely helps me feel better about cutting the fizzy drinks! I’m hoping I notice the difference because I know I’ll stay away if so! Thank you xo
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These are all great goals! Reading more book especially! When I am bored, i scroll my Facebook feed instead of reading… I should definitely read more too ahah! xx Corinne from Corinne & Kirsty
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Yes, exactly! I’m so lame for repeatedly scrolling facebook, twitter and instagram! There’s really no need for the amount of refreshing I do on social media so I think social media time could become actual reading time! xo
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Wow this sounds so much like me and my goals. I hope you are able to reach your goals this year. I use an app for the water challenge called plant nanny, check it out it may help.
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Ohhh I’ve heard of a lot of water apps but not that one – I’ll definitely try it out! Thank you for that xo
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No problem! Hope it helps!
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One of my goals for this year is to start reading more, I’ve definitely neglected books in 2016.
Terri x
http://www.territalks.co.uk
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It’s a shame to leave books behind when they’re such a great escape! Good luck with your goals xo
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Fantastic resolutions! Hope you have a wonderful 2017.
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Thank you so much, wishing you the best 2017 too! xo
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Absolutely love this post! Hope you’re 2017 is good to you and you own it!
Chloe
chloetommo.co.uk
xoxo
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Thank you Chloe! xo
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Some great goals you have set. Hope you are feeling better and you continue to do so throughout 2017 x
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These next few months hold some exciting things so I’ll definitely be feeling top notch soon enough! Thank you so much, best wishes to you too xo
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This is a great post, great resolutions and really motivating for me as a new blogger!
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Thank you! I hope you enjoy your blogging experience, it’s one of the best things I’ve ever done! xo
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Welcome back to blogging!! I hope you reach all your goals this year and continue to keep writing – you go girl xx
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Thank you – I’m so excited for what this year holds! xo
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These are great, realistic challenges! One of my biggest goals is to improve on having a positive realistic mindset amongst any situation. I have been struggling in that already, but this post has motivated me to keep at it.
Nikki O. | http://www.herdaringthoughts.blogspit.com
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Working on your mentality is one of the most difficult challenges, because it literally is challenging your brain and how it works! This is something I’m working on too so I can fully understand. I hope you have the best 2017 and smash your goals! xo
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Lovely post!! Hope you achieve them all and more ❤
Love, Melissa x
lovemelissax.blogspot.co.uk
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Thank you, Melissa! xo
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Aw, it’s nice to see you set yourself some interesting but important goals. I hope everyday brings you success and happiness! loved reading this post girly x
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I’m bored of the same goals every year that never get achieved – it was time for a change! Thank you so much, I wish you the best year ahead too xo
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Some lovely resolutions here! I wish you all the best, they seem really achievable. I wish you all the best for 2017. I wrote my own post about my 2017 goals, so I would love for you to check it out!
Gemma | http://www.anoceanglimmer.wordpress.com
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Here’s hoping I can achieve them without too much fuss! I wish you all the best with your 2017 goals too xo
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I’m sure you’ll be fine lovely! If you put your mind to them, they should be easy to achieve, thank you
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I love your challenges, I’ve recently unsubscribed from loads of emails and its the best feeling ever lol
letsgotravel.blog
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So far I’ve unsubscribed from very little – but I will get around to it! I’m so glad it wasn’t just me that had random email spam! xo
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This is so lovely! I totally get the whole ‘show more emotion’ thing, everyone knows me as a heartless bitch but I promise I’m not! Good luck with all your resolutions!xx
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I’m exactly the same! I don’t know how he’s managed to put up with me but I’m very appreciative haha. Thank you, good luck with any goals you’ve set yourself, too! xo
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these goals are great! loved this post. Also i hope you’re feeling much better!
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Thank you, I’m definitely feeling better than I was! xo
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What a thoughtful post about what you want to be different and better. I’m all for that, and like you, have vowed to try and adopt a positive outlook for 2017. So far so good I’d say given I’m usually a glass half empty person. Things like unsubscribing too – such a good idea as they are so annoying.
Good luck!
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That’s exactly what it is – more positive mindsets! I’m hoping by the end of the year I’ll have a clear email list and a healthier mind! Thank you & best wishes to you for the new year xo
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I’m so glad your back lovely! These are such great resolutions, I really want to read more too!!
Amy x
http://www.theauburnagenda.com
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It seems reading more is on a lot of peoples lists this year! xo
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I’m glad that you’re back, and hopefully you’re feeling much much better! I really want to make breakfast a priority to! I’m just dreadful at remember to eat before work x
http://www.sheintheknow.co.uk
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Remembering to eat and having the time to eat! Absolutely terrible at both, but so far so good on the breakfast front for me! xo
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Haha I can never seem to keep to my resolutions, but yours are so refreshing! ❤
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I fancied a change from my regular resolutions that I never keep haha xo
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You have some great resolutions here 🙂 I especially love that you want to be happier with yourself! This is so important, much more important than weight lost or anything. And you just reminded me to start making breakfast a priority too… I skip it so often, it’s definitely not healthy
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Thank you! Absolutely, being happier is my biggest goal – and there’s so many more things that go into that rather than just ‘losing weight’! Breakfast is the hardest meal of the day for me to stomach, but it’s definitely getting easier the more I eat it! xo
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Love this post I seriously need to get back into ready more as well! Hope you achieve them all!
http://www.harrietday.com
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So far I’ve still not started reading again! I will before the years out haha. Thank you, best of luck for the new year lovely! xo
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I can totally relate to this post! I need to get my list together, you’ve inspired me to do so. Good look going forward with these plans!
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Good luck with anything you want to achieve this year! xo
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YES! That book jar is an awesome idea. Have you started any of your little pile? We All Looked Up was actually recommended to us the other day, but haven’t started it yet!
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I can’t take credit for the book jar unfortunately – but no I haven’t yet started! We All Looked Up is one of the ones I’m absolutely dying to read so I might just ignore the book jar for a little longer! xo
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Hi, what a great list of resolutions. I to need to delete those junk emails, and read more books. Good luck with your months water challenge. I couldn’t manage a day without a cup of tea, Chloe https://pinkiebag.com #TeacupClub
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So far I’ve not cut out my tea, but I am trying to drink a lot more water than I usually do. To be honest, I’m not sure how well the no tea thing is going to go but I’ll give it a shot! xo
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I can completely relate on the what about emotions. I am the same and it’s a resolution of mine to try show my boyfriend what I feel. Some work to do there I guess. They all are great resolutions! xx Corinne from Corinne & Kirsty
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Showing emotions is a difficult one… it’s part of my personality to be so quiet and closed off about certain things, but then I understand how frustrating it can be so it’s a change that needs to happen! xo
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Unwanted e-mails are one of those things that I’ve always put up with and never actually considered doing anything about! Definitely a good goal. I might do that too! I’ve been trying to drink more water too but I’m finding it hard to break out of my habit of just not drinking very much. And stepping up my bloggin game that’s one of the big ones! It sounds like you’re nailing it so far- keep up the good work!
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Exactly – I’m fed up of junk emails filling my inbox all the time so it’s time to make a stand haha. So far I’ve been encouraging myself to drink more water but haven’t cut out my tea yet! I can’t bring myself to drink more than 3, maximum 4 glasses a day! Good luck with all of your goals! xo
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These are excellent resolutions! Breakfast is so important, but I usually end up eating a Clif bar at my desk when I get to work. I didn’t eat breakfast at all until I noticed last year that my stomach would get upset after having coffee in the morning.
Congrats on reaching all your one year blogging goals so early, and good luck with being more open about your feelings. It’s hard, but trust comes in time.
Xoxo
Emily
emilyhallock.blogspot.com
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Coffee is dangerous -so addictive to drink and definitely helps the movement of things. I had to stop drinking as much coffee because of that same reason! Thank you, I’m hoping this year is full of lots more blogging fun! xo
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omg you have so many resolutions they’re all amazing, i’m definitely with you on wanting to read more though! I hope you’re feeling better lovely xxx
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It seems a lot of people want to read more this year – what a great goal for everyone to attempt together! xo
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I plan on reading more too, I just find it hard to sit and read… I always end up on Netflix! Good luck on your goals this year, you can do it!
– Kirsty xo
http://www.typicallykirsty.wordpress.com
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That’s so true. I always get bored but instead of picking up a book, I’ll scroll social media and watch crap telly that I’m not interested in at all! Thank you lovely, good luck with any goals you have! xo
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These are such good resolutions 😁 im wanting to read more this year as well, ive been meaning to read All The Bright Places for like two years now. Lovely post 😀
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I’m pretty sure I bought that book a good few years ago too and just never got around to reading it! Definitely have to read it this year! xo
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Ah I’m glad you’re back! I hope you achieve all of these but remember no pressure if you don’t ~ I too need to get on top of emails and drink more water, it definitely contributes to how bad I feel sometimes 😦 xx
sophieannetaylor.blogspot.co.uk
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Thank you lovely! I keep reminding myself when I realise I haven’t even picked up a book yet that there’s no rush! I agree, I’ve started to drink more water (without cutting the tea etc) and have already noticed a difference in how I feel, so hopefully my body starts demonstrating the positives of water too! xo
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Loved reading all your resolutions! I hope you have a wonderful and happy 2017 x
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Thank you lovely, I wish you all the best for 2017 too xo
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Love your resolutions! Reading more books is always a great goal to aim towards x
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Thank you so much! I’ve seen a lot of people say they wish to read more books, it’s like the whole blogging community is a great big book club! xo
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It’s only February and I’ve already failed at my New Year’s resolutions, lol. I just don’t have the mindset to get healthy 😦
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